GUIDE TO THE CHARMING PINGXI OLD STREET IN TAIWAN

Why Visit Pingxi Old Street in Taiwan?

We visited Pingxi on our way to Jiufen during our road trip to Taiwan.

Leaving Taipei, we first stopped at Jingtong Old Street, which was really cool, and our 2nd stop was Pingxi Old Street!

Pingxi Old Street once bustling with the coal mining industry, which played a significant role in Taiwan’s economic development. Today, the remnants of this era, including the old railway track that runs parallel to the street, serve as a poignant reminder of the town’s past.

Key Takeaways from a Visit to Pingxi Station

– Pingxi Station, located in the Pingxi District, is part of the Pingxi Line, which was originally built for transporting coal.
– Traveling to Pingxi Station via the Pingxi Line offers a unique railway experience. The same train line can get you to Jingtong and the famous Shifen!
– The Pingxi area is known for its stunning natural scenery, surrounded by mountains and lush greenery.
– It takes less than 1 hour to visit Pingxi as it’s not very big.

Introduction of Pingxi Old Street in Taiwan

As we first arrived at Pingxi Station, we were impressed by the beautiful river crossing the town.

We then made our way up the village. This is where the main attraction is, Pingxi Old Street, right next to the scenic train track.

Traditional Taiwanese houses, with their distinct red brick and wooden facades, stand as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the area. These buildings have been lovingly repurposed as cafes, souvenir shops, and museums.

Just like Jingtong Old Street and Shifen, the whole area used to be lively during the coal mining era, which stopped a while back. Now tourists keep the economy of this area alive.

Things To Do in Pingxi Old Street

Visiting Pingxi Old Street in Taiwan is like stepping into a lively, historical playground. Here are some cool things to do when you’re there:

1. Release a Sky Lantern

For most visitors, this is a must-do when visiting Pingxi area, and especially at Shifen. However, for a less crowded place, Pingxi Old Street is definitely much better.

People would normally write their wishes on a lantern and watch it float up into the sky. It’s a tradition here.

However, consider your environmental impact. Most Lanterns are made up of plastic and end up in the forest nearby… There are few shops selling eco-friendly lanterns, please consider those although they are a tiny bit more expensive…

2. Explore the Old Street

Just walking around the street is an adventure. The buildings are old-school and really cool to look at. Plus, there are loads of little shops to check out.

3. Try the Street Food

You’ve gotta try the snacks here. There’s stuff like bamboo tube rice, taro balls, and peanut ice cream rolls. It’s all really yummy and different.

4. Check out the nearby hikes

If you have more time ahead of you, why not get even more off the beaten path, and enjoy a hike through the beautiful lush greenery? The Xiaozishan Trail gives you amazing views of the area.

As we didn’t have that much time, we still wanted to visit Shifen, Houtong Cat Street and spend the night at Jiufen, we skipped any hikes…

5. Shop for Souvenirs and relax in a Cafe

You can find some unique gifts and souvenirs here, like handmade crafts, lanterns, and local art.

Some of the old houses have been turned into cafes. It’s really cool to sit in one and just soak up the atmosphere.

How to Get to Pingxi Old Street

Getting to Pingxi Old Street in Taiwan is pretty straightforward and can be a fun part of your adventure. Here’s how you can do it:

By Train:

First, take a train to Ruifang Station. You can catch a train to Ruifang from Taipei Main Station. The journey usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

Once you’re at Ruifang Station, switch to the Pingxi Line. This is a smaller, local train line that takes you right into the heart of Pingxi. The train ride from Ruifang to Pingxi is scenic and enjoyable, taking about 40 minutes. The last stop is Jingtong Old Street.

Actually, we liked Jingtong more, as there are more things to see and the area is bigger too.

COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE PINGXI RAILWAY LINE IN TAIWAN

By Car

As we rented our car in Taiwan (via Klook by the way – which was super smooth), it was easy for us to drive from Taipei.

We started in the morning from Taipei, then visited Jingtong, Pingxi, Shifen and ended up at Jiufen where we decided to spend the night!

It was a beautiful road trip (despite the rain the entire day…)

Join a Tour

Combine your trip with Shifen and Jiufen

Most people combine a trip to Pingxi with a visit to Shifen and Jiufen, 2 of the most scenic spots in Taiwan. The Pingxi Line stops at Shifen too, so it’s easy to visit both in one trip.

However, be aware that Shifen and Jiufen are really crowded. As we went on a rainy day we had a little less crowd than usual, but it was still packed…

The only good thing is that we arrived at Shifen around 6 pm, when most tourists would start to head back to Taipei. So we recommend spending a night at Shifen or heading back to Taipei late to enjoy Shifen more.

READ: 10 Unmissable things to do in Jiufen

In Conclusion about Pingxi Old Street

Remember, the best part about Pingxi Old Street is just soaking in the vibes and enjoying the mix of old and new. It’s much quieter than Shifen.

We didn’t have good weather on that day, so we didn’t enjoy everything that much, it felt a bit overrated. However, we are sure that with a nice sunny weather, the experience would have been a lot more pleasant.

GUIDE TO THE CHARMING PINGXI OLD STREET IN TAIWAN

Introduction of Pingxi Old Street in Taiwan